What is ‘Yoga Nidra’ ?

Weekly Classes

If you live in the Stratford upon Avon area please do come along to one of my live, in person Nidra Meditation sessions at The Old School Yoga Studio.

Please visit Eventbrite to book a space or drop me a message and you can pay cash on the night.

“Yoga nidra is the yoga of aware sleep. In this lies the secret of self healing. Yoga Nidra is a technique in which the distractions of the mind are contained and the mind is relaxed.”

~ Satyananda Saraswati

A nidra meditation or ‘yoga nidra’ is effortless relaxation.

Many lifestyle pressures can result in irregular sleeping patterns, poor diet, work pressures and lack of exercise all of which can eventually lead to tiredness, stress and anxiety.

These are all common problems in our lives today that can be avoided if you take the steps you need to every day and week.

A technique that you can use every day is box breathing which is a centuries old technique that acts as an effective strategy for quickly entering a calm, centred state of mind and body. It’s an easy technique that you can use anywhere, just practicing for a few minutes, anytime you need to boost your creativity or concentration, break free from scattered thinking or simply return to a state of wellbeing and peace.

Nidra meditation (a guided relaxation technique) is another great daily practice to use but also an amazing wind down technique especially if you struggle to step away from your work at the end of the day, perhaps lying awake at night tossing and turning thinking about the things you need to do or replaying in your head ‘all that stuff’ from your day.  

How do you practice Yoga Nidra?

It’s usually practiced lying down with a teacher guiding the session. The practice draws our attention inwards and brings us into that half-conscious state between being asleep and awake. This allows our body to find its natural state of equilibrium (homeostasis) and from this place of awareness we can recharge and restore.

When you practice Yoga Nidra regularly you may find yourself more positive with a greater sense of wellbeing.

It can be practiced by anyone and benefits everyone! If you live in the Stratford Upon Avon area do come along and try out one of my face to face Yoga Nidra sessions…the yoga studio I use as my base has such an amazing energy. (Please see details at the top left hand side of this page)

What is the difference between Yoga Nidra and Meditation?

~ Meditation focuses on softening the mind – which then softens the body.

~ Yoga Nidra meditation softens the body first – which then allows the mind to soften.

Alternate Nostril Breathing

This yoga nidra practice that I have recorded for you incorporates a very short alternate nostril breathing practice. I hope you enjoy it.

Nadi Shodhana is the practice of alternate nostril breathing. Nadi is a Sanskrit word meaning “channel” or “flow” and Shodhana means “purification.” Nadi Shodhana therefore is a practice aimed at purifying or cleansing the main energy channels of the body to bring them into balance.

Try some more free yoga nidras from the Yoga Nidra Network here ….